Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Unflip

1 2 3

Original poster

What's your take on Mary?

64 replies

sureitsgrand · 28/05/2017 07:47

If I were to use this name should I have a girl it would honor a very special lady in my life.
However I don't know is it too old fashioned? I am not usually a fan of old lady style names, but like this for other reasons.
I don't think it's very popular which I'd prefer too.
Anyone heard of a baby Mary recently or have any ideas?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ScarletSienna · 29/05/2017 23:36

I don't like it but would use it in your situation as a middle name.

I too have heard it used as a euphemism, including 'hairy Mary' as a pp said. I also can't help but sing (in my head) the Aunty Mary had a canary song every time I hear it!

Aunty Mary, had a canary, down the leg of her drawers ... When she farted it departed to a round of applause.

BertrandRussell · 29/05/2017 23:17

Lovely.

MineKraftCheese · 29/05/2017 23:15

Was just watching Mary Poppins, another lovely Mary

Would be ace to watch with a little Mary, especially Jolly Holiday! "When Mary holds your hand, you feel so grand, your heart starts beating like a big brass band" ❤️

Also she would get to be Mary if her school does the nativity

Bue · 29/05/2017 05:01

Love it. Would have used it however DH's surname (which DD has) is so dull that it just didn't work. Think Mary Smith or Mary Jones. It just made me think of every second gravestone in a 19th c churchyard. I think it does need a more dynamic surname to balance it out.

Planning to use it as a middle name if next baby is a girl.

Buntysoven · 29/05/2017 00:45

Simple classic gentle and classy...that's how I see Mary.

Joeybee · 29/05/2017 00:13

I think that it's a pretty dated name. However with the hundred year rule with names, it could well be set to make a comeback again soon. I think it'd be a really cute name for a baby/toddler.

SuburbanRhonda · 28/05/2017 22:43

Those who say they can't imagine a baby Mary, hopefully the OP's child will grow up and stop being a baby at some point

SpikeGilesSandwich · 28/05/2017 21:27

I used to know a baby Mary, she'll be about 7 or 8 by now I think. She had older sisters, Harriet and Florence, everyone said all three were pretty names.

KeepCalm · 28/05/2017 20:46

It's lovely

MrsLucyEmerson · 28/05/2017 20:41

Raised a catholic, for me it only has religious connotations and ideas about virginity and purity. I also don't know anyone who has used it recently as a baby name except the deeply religious.

IJustGotHitByADeer · 28/05/2017 20:33

Personally I like it, if DH and I have a girl we'll probably use it as his grandmother was a Mary and I want biblical names if possible. Very classic and not too trendy

TheLuminaries · 28/05/2017 20:19

I have a friend with this name and she really hates it, she thinks it is a frumpy name. But there are worse names out there, so up to you.

Original poster

sureitsgrand · 28/05/2017 20:17

It's my Nana's name. I don't think she will last too many more years and I adore her. To tell her I was naming a child after her would mean the world to her.

OP posts:

MineKraftCheese · 28/05/2017 19:40

It was my very glamorous and fun-loving gran's name, a really inspirational woman. If I had a DD I'd love to call her Mary.

GottaCatchEmAll137 · 28/05/2017 19:02

Ah this is great! I'm even going to out myself. I'm a Mary now in early 30s. There are very few people with the same name of my age or younger that I know. I used to hate it growing up but now I'm glad of something more unusual amongst my age group. It's nice to see mostly positive responses towards the name too!

Nancy91 · 28/05/2017 18:45

Beautiful name

friedegs · 28/05/2017 18:44

It's a beautiful name and elegant IMO. Also a very refreshing change from hundreds of Evies/Isabellas/Sophies/Amelias.... just so confusing!

Original poster

sureitsgrand · 28/05/2017 17:38

Thanks! I'm still quite early on but it will definitely be a middle name at least or a strong contender for furst name. It wouldn't be used as a name for vulva/fanny etc round here at all.

OP posts:

Monkeyface26 · 28/05/2017 17:12

I don't think it's old-fashioned, I think it's timeless.
My 2 dds are named to remember special family members and they both like the fact that their name has significance.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 28/05/2017 17:08

No I've never heard of a baby Mary, but.Surely that's a good thing. Do you want her to be the one of 15 Islas in her year group.

DramaAlpaca · 28/05/2017 15:16

It's one of those names I used to dislike but now really love.

I wouldn't use it though as I now live in Ireland and every other woman over a certain age is called Mary, and if she isn't it's her middle name.

I know a handful of young Marys, but it's very unusual here these days because as said upthread it's seen as very religious.

29Palms · 28/05/2017 14:51

And I've never heard anyone use Mary as a euphemism for anything.

29Palms · 28/05/2017 14:49

Mary as a first name has not been common in the UK for a long time. I'm no spring chicken, but it was not particularly common in my generation, although it was one of the 'default' middle names along with Anne. Much like Rose and May now.

Classic but fairly unusual, and internationally recognisable. I think it would be a good choice now.

It's also a name that is often very usable in conjunction with a second name: think Mary Anne, Mary Jo, Mary Ellen. A well-chosen second name could add some flexibility.

daisypond · 28/05/2017 13:45

I've never heard of Mary being a very common nickname for vulva. So it's not that common. I know a couple of teenage Marys and a very cute baby Mary. It's a lovely name - classic and underused.

OnnaNoHito · 28/05/2017 13:33

Just going to point out - I'm only just out of my teens and have never heard anyone use 'Mary' as slang for anything.

It's not frumpy or drab either (can't believe anyone would be rude enough to say such a thing, especially when OP is using it as a way to honour someone!), it's lovely and I've never met or heard of a Mary who hasn't been a lovely soul!

Go for it

Unflip

1 2 3

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.